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Tim Kaine's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. Senate (VA) - Jr

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "It’s heartbreaking that women from states like Florida are being forced to travel to Virginia— the last state in the South without an abortion ban—just to get the health care they need. We must restore Roe to all 50 states. I have a bill to do just that." (twitter.com)
  • "Today marks what should be the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. But the reality is grim: Women have had their rights ripped away, many are being denied critical reproductive health care, and Republicans want to pass a national abortion ban. We must keep fighting to restore Roe." (twitter.com)
  • "Two years ago today, the Dobbs ruling leaked & we got our first glimpse of the coming health care crisis. Since then, many GOP states have enacted extreme abortion bans with devastating consequences for women. I'll keep pushing to pass my bipartisan bill to restore Roe." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Honored to receive the endorsement of @NCPSSM in Fredericksburg today. Virginia's seniors deserve to retire with dignity and respect—and I'll keep fighting to lower their costs and protect Social Security and Medicare so they can do just that." (twitter.com)
  • "To all the Republicans who boo when Democrats call you out for wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare.......do you hear what the leader of your party is saying? Take it up with him." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSM) (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 2093 "For the People Act of 2021" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "14 years ago, the Citizens United v. FEC ruling opened the floodgates for dark money to enter our political system—and political spending has skyrocketed ever since. That shouldn’t be the case. Overturning Citizens United is critical to strengthening our democracy." (twitter.com)
  • "The Freedom to Vote Act would improve access to the ballot box, advance common-sense federal election standards, reform outdated campaign finance laws, and help protect American democracy. Let's get it passed." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 93% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I was excited to drive an electric truck made at the Volvo plant in Dublin and meet with workers. Excited to see more American-made clean truck manufacturing thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act! It’s time to bring manufacturing back to America." (twitter.com)
  • "Thanks for joining us today to discuss how the bipartisan infrastructure law will benefit Virginia, @SecretaryPete!" (twitter.com)
  • "With the bipartisan infrastructure law, we are rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and raising the platform for everyone's economic success." (twitter.com)
  • "Our current housing crisis is unsustainable—and holding too many Virginians back. I’ve been working nonstop to create more housing opportunities across our Commonwealth. This funding will go a long way toward that." (twitter.com)
  • "Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare finally has the power to negotiate prescription drug prices. It's just common sense to let one of the largest buyers of medication in the nation negotiate lower prices—and it's going to benefit everyone." (twitter.com)
  • "Job growth is at record highs. Wages are up. Unemployment is at historic lows. Inflation is coming down. This is an economy worth celebrating." (twitter.com)
  • "We are responsible for leaving this planet in a better place for generations to come. I was proud to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act because it’s the biggest climate legislation in history—spurring clean energy growth in Virginia’s offshore wind and solar industries." (twitter.com)
  • "Happy #EarthDay! Protecting our planet for future generations is critical—that’s one of the many reasons why I’m proud to have helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s the biggest climate legislation in history, but there’s still more to be done for climate action." (twitter.com)
  • "Glad to see the Department of Education heeding our calls and taking steps to remove the barriers that have kept too many teachers, social workers, firefighters, and many other public servants from receiving the student loan forgiveness they have worked toward and deserve." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (NEA) (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We authorized $700 million in student loan forgiveness for public servants like firefighters, teachers, and nurses. Now we’re learning that fewer than 300 people have actually received it. What is going on?? This administration is maddening." (twitter.com)
  • "This is great news! It'll put more money back into people's pockets and give student loan borrowers in Virginia much-needed breathing room and relief. Taking steps like this to lower costs for Virginians continues to be one of my highest priorities." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 2747 "Freedom to Vote Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Great day campaigning for strong Democrats in Virginia. Every seat in our legislature is up for election. If Republicans win control of the legislature, they've pledged to restrict voting rights, pass an abortion ban, and roll back gun safety measures. We can’t let that happen." (twitter.com)
  • "Ok after 27 hours on the road from Richmond to DC, very happy to be back in the Capitol and working on voting rights legislation this afternoon." (twitter.com)
  • "Proud to cosponsor the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. People's ability to vote freely and conveniently is crucial to our democracy—but right now that's under attack. We must get this passed." (twitter.com)
  • "We are responsible for leaving this planet in a better place for generations to come. I was proud to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act because it’s the biggest climate legislation in history—spurring clean energy growth in Virginia’s offshore wind and solar industries." (twitter.com)
  • "Happy #EarthDay! Protecting our planet for future generations is critical—that’s one of the many reasons why I’m proud to have helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s the biggest climate legislation in history, but there’s still more to be done for climate action." (twitter.com)
  • "I was excited to drive an electric truck made at the Volvo plant in Dublin and meet with workers. Excited to see more American-made clean truck manufacturing thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act! It’s time to bring manufacturing back to America." (twitter.com)
  • "I’m voting YES on the Inflation Reduction Act because it’ll lower costs, reduce the deficit, protect benefits for miners with black lung, AND take the biggest action on climate in history by spurring clean energy growth—including in Virginia’s offshore wind and solar industries." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted in favor of S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Every year, survivors of domestic violence lose their lives to gun violence. We must do more to prevent these tragedies, which is why I joined my colleagues in introducing a bill to keep guns out of the hands of abusers and protect survivors." (x.com)
  • Rated 0% by National Rifle Association (NRA) (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Gun Owners of America (GOA) (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Affordable Virginia "We will no longer be a nation that tolerates an unacceptably high poverty rate... and that's why I so strongly support #buildbackbetter" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare finally has the power to negotiate prescription drug prices. It's just common sense to let one of the largest buyers of medication in the nation negotiate lower prices—and it's going to benefit everyone." (twitter.com)
  • "390,400 Virginians enrolled in Medicare Part D will save an average of $440.62 on their prescription drug costs thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act" Proud to have voted for this! I’m going to keep working to lower costs for Virginians." (twitter.com)
  • "Seriously though, Rip Van Winkle, did you just awake from a long slumber? We gave you a deal last month that offered all the border funding you wanted AND a path to citizenship for Dreamers. YOU (or your minions) tanked it and turned us down. Art of the Deal-Wrecker!" (x.com)
  • "At long last, the Senate has passed an aid bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. It should’ve helped secure our border too…but Republicans tanked that. Now the House must stop the political games and pass this too." (twitter.com)
  • "Democrats and Republicans negotiated a bipartisan border deal. Good for USA. But now Republicans are backing out. Just like 2013. Just like 2018. Why don’t Republicans want border security?" (twitter.com)
  • "So let me get this straight: Republicans want to "fix" the border but don't want to pass a bill to do so because they want to attack Biden over it. AND now they don't want to pass a tax cut for families because it's an election year? This isn't how we should be governing." (x.com)
  • "There are 9,000 DACA recipients in Virginia. They have strengthened our communities and economy, and for many of them, America is the only home they’ve ever known. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for our Dreamers." (x.com)
  • "Beyond disappointing. Virginia is home to over 20,000 TPS holders and over 9,000 DACA recipients, and they make our Commonwealth stronger. I’m going to keep fighting for them and pushing for a path to citizenship." (x.com)
  • "Seriously though, Rip Van Winkle, did you just awake from a long slumber? We gave you a deal last month that offered all the border funding you wanted AND a path to citizenship for Dreamers. YOU (or your minions) tanked it and turned us down. Art of the Deal-Wrecker!" (x.com)
  • "The President’s attempt to end the DACA program plunged hundreds of thousands of innocent young people into limbo and wreaked havoc on their lives. I’m so thankful the Court has rejected it. Today, I celebrate with Dreamers! Tomorrow, let's make this protection permanent." (x.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted in favor of HR 7691 "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "At long last, the Senate has passed an aid bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. It should’ve helped secure our border too…but Republicans tanked that. Now the House must stop the political games and pass this too." (twitter.com)
  • "The murder of Alexei Navalny at the hands of Vladimir Putin is disturbing and saddening—and a reminder that Putin will stop at nothing to cling onto power. It's more important than ever for the democracies of the world to come together, strengthen NATO, and support Ukraine." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

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